The first morning of heats at the 2005 Canada Games regatta went off without a hitch today in Regina, Sask. The course, located at Wascana Lake, is part of Wascana Centre, a 2,300 acre green space and waterway park adjacent to the University of Regina, within walking distance of downtown Regina.
Although a typical rowing distance is 2000 metres, the course in Regina is 1000 metres. This shorter distance and the courses sheltered location mean that spectators are treated to some exciting racing at these Games.
The first-place crew in each heat advanced to the final. Ontario and British Columbia showed their strength today, winning four heats each. The host province, Saskatchewan, advanced in two events.
In first event of the day - the lightweight men's four - New Brunswick advanced from the first heat, with the Ontario boat finishing first in the second heat.
In the men's single, Saskatchewan was first heat one, and Ontario was first in heat two - both advance to the final
In the women's pair, British Columbia won the first heat to advance. Nova Scotia was first in the second heat in a pair that included fifth generation rower, Ashley Mumford, whose grandfather is here coaching for their home provinces team.
The women's quad event saw Ontario win the first heat, and British Columbia finish first in the second heat.
Quebec had its first win of the day in the men's pair event in heat one, and BC took the second heat with two members of Canada's Under-23 team (Chris Aylard and Blake Pucsek) in the boat.
In the men's quad, New Brunswick took heat one, and Ontario won the second heat.
The hometown crowd favourites from Saskatchewan won heat one of the women's eight race. British Columbia won the second heat, capping off a morning that saw all that province's women's crews advance to the finals.
"They did an incredibly good job today," said BC coach Allison Dobb. "All the women advanced this morning, which was great to see. The whole team is gaining confidence and I'm proud of them."
This afternoon Wascana lake will host the repechage races for the crews that did not advance after the first round of racing.
Tomorrow morning, heats will be held in the men's double, men's eight, men's four, women's double, women's four, and women's lightweight double.
Finals are held Thursday and Friday.
Full results: http://www.2005jeuxducanadagames.ca/